Elinor Young's Weblog

First Launch Into Papuan Life

41 and 1/2 years ago I got on an airplane in Spokane to begin my first ever journey to the place that became so dear to me, Irian Jaya (Papua), Indonesia. All I knew about the land and its people was what I had read, including that much was still undiscovered. I was trained in various work capacities and did not know which would be most needed, or where. Though flights were scheduled so as to get us there as quickly as possible, I did not arrive on the island until a week had passed. What an adventure it all was! One I would do all over again.